121 Leading Media Organizations Joined DMC last Year

Dubai-UAE: 03 February 2007- Dubai Media City (DMC), a member of TECOM Investments, today announced a 10 per cent increase in the number of new companies setting up their headquarters in the media cluster.

During 2006, an additional 121 companies were established in DMC, bringing the total number of companies based there to 1,213, compared to 1,092 in 2005.

The increase provides clear evidence of DMC's position as a leading media hub in the region and its success in fulfilling the needs of its customers. The announcement came as part of Dubai Media City's sixth anniversary celebrations.

Dr. Amina Al Rustamani, Executive Director of Media, TECOM Investments said: "We are proud of our achievements in the past six years that have successfully positioned Dubai as a strategic regional gateway for international media companies. It is an exciting time for us, as we look forward to continuing our strong performance in the coming years."

Dr. Al Rustamani, who also oversees Dubai Studio City and the International Media Production Zone, confirmed the media cluster's strategy in 2007 will focus on enhancing satisfaction levels of its current customer base.

She also stressed the free zone would continue to refine the services provided to its community by applying best international practices. Training and developing the professional skills of its staff are top priorities on the free zone's 2007 agenda, she added.

In 2007, DMC aims to increase total training days provided to its staff by 30 per cent.     

"Through ongoing training, we ensure new levels of proficiency among our employees. This, in turn, guarantees enhanced service levels to our clients. We are keen to provide our business partners with an enabling and hassle-free environment to help them reach new horizons of growth and development out of Dubai Media City," Dr. Al Rustamani explained. 

TECOM Investments' expansion plans include 27 towers to be built by private investors within the free zone perimeter. The new space will promote the growth of DMC and other sister divisions operating under TECOM Investments' umbrella. The development will comprise a wide variety of commercial, residential and hotel options.

Business inquiries received by DMC in 2006 amounted to 467 inquiries, 41 per cent of which came from media and marketing companies, followed by consultancy agencies (15 per cent) and New Media & Media Support Services (10 per cent). 

Mohammed Al Mulla, Director of Dubai Media City said: "Our partners constitute key assets in our pursuit of excellence and growth. DMC's strategy focuses on identifying the community's needs and allocating relevant resources to fulfil these needs in a prompt and effective manner.

"Partnership is the framework that governs our relations with our clients. This philosophy means that any success of our business partners is a DMC success story." Al Mulla was recently elected to the International Advertising Association (IAA) Board in appreciation of his efforts in supporting the media industry.  

Last December, Dubai Media City announced the launch of the third phase of the Media Business Centre, its flagship facility for independent media professionals. Over 366 media professionals, including small companies and freelancers, are currently based at the Media Business Centre.

The new facility will feature sleek executive offices and state-of-the-art technology and communication systems, conference and meeting rooms. The expansion is expected to be operational by first quarter 2007 and will accommodate about 125 small companies and freelancers.

In 2006, several leading international media companies joined Dubai Media City's growing community. This included the Dentsu Group, ranked fifth among the world's marketing organizations; Wizcraft International Entertainment Ltd., globally renowned events and entertainment management company, and BPA Worldwide, the world's leading media auditing organization. Qatar Media Services, MITSCO- Seekport, Signal Perfection Ltd, and TD&A DDB were among other leading entities that joined DMC last year.   

 DMC's broadcasting community has achieved remarkable growth during the last two years. The number of DMC based broadcasters has mounted to 60 companies operating up to 150 TV channels.

Dubai Media City has also marked significant success as an effective growth platform for regional and international publishers. The free zone's publishing segment includes more than 120 publishing houses issuing around 400 titles; most of which are exported to various markets in the region and beyond.     

Dubai Media City was one of the initial projects that were launched to promote Dubai government's vision in diversifying its economy by establishing new knowledge-based business clusters. Since its inception in 2001, Dubai Media City's profile has grown as a solid platform for regional and international media companies seeking to establish footprint in the region.    

-Ends-

About Dubai Media City
Strategically located at the crossroads of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, Dubai Media City is rapidly emerging as the region's media hub.  The City provides an advanced infrastructure for media-related businesses to operate globally out of Dubai.  Dubai Media City is the place where activities Publishing, Music, Film, New Media, Leisure & Entertainment, Broadcasting, Media & Marketing Services, and Information Agencies will thrive. The facility offers an environment that allows companies and individuals to operate with collective synergy and freedom.

Companies based in Dubai Media City have the unique edge of commercial benefits derived from our free zone status including 100 % business ownership and exemption from personal income and corporate taxes. Since its official opening in January 2001, Dubai Media City has grown to become a thriving media community of over 1200 companies and hundreds of freelance media professionals. Several global media giants and promising entrepreneurial ventures have joined this unique community. 

For further information, please contact:
Zeba Ahmad
Associate Account Manager
JIWIN
The Public Relations Arm of Dubai Press Club
T:+9714 361 3 333
F:+9714 368 8 001
Email: Zeba.ahmad@jiwin.ae

© Press Release 2007